Today is National Bike to School Day! The focus is to promote a fun, healthy activity for children, but also to promote safety.
Here are a few tips on keeping your child safe on National Bike to School Day and all-year round:
Be sure to always inspect your child's bicycle BEFORE riding to make sure all parts are secure and working properly.
• Wear a properly fitted helmet. A helmet should:
Be comfortable
Must cover the forehead
Chin straps must be tight and properly adjusted
Should not rock back & forth on the head
• Adjust the bicycle to fit your child. There should be 1-2 inches between the rider & the top bar. The seat should be level & adjust to the height to allow fluid movement.
• Make sure your child can be seen. It's important that your child wears neon, fluorescent or other bright colors anytime he or she goes for a ride.
• Maintain control of the bicycle. Stress to your child the importance of having at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Carry all school materials in backpacks to keep hands free.
• Watch for road hazards. Teach your child to scan the road for potholes, broken glass, gravel, or any other obstacles that could cause damage.
• Avoid riding at night. Even if your child wears bright clothing, bicyclists are harder to see at night.
• Make sure your child knows the rules of the road for bicyclists before heading out on their next ride.
• Ride with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road, in the same direction as other vehicles.
• Obey traffic laws. When riding in the street obey all traffic signs, signals & lane markings.
• Yield to traffic, when appropriate.
• Look before turning.
• Watch for parked cars.
It is recommended that children under the age of 10 not ride in the street, over 10 it's a discussion you should have with your child.
If riding on the sidewalk it's important to:
• Know the law in your local community regarding bicycling riding on a sidewalk.
• Be aware of surroundings and watch for vehicles backing out of driveways.
• Stop at sidewalk corners to look for cars before crossing.
• Never enter a street in between parked cars, but at the corner.
